Since my Shih Tzu developed bladder stones 9 years ago, due to the high salt content of most store bought pet foods, I have made her food. She eats hamburger, rice, and mixed veggies (she likes squash the best) and has been extremely healthy and problem free ever since. I only have to make one big batch every 2 weeks, and freeze some. She is the perfect weight, and at 13 years old still likes to run, and play tug of war. I don't think making your own pet foods is as complicated as the Dog Food companies would like you to think.

I don't think making your own pet foods is as complicated as the Dog Food companies would like you to think.

I think it's slightly different with cat food. I believe I read that cats require significant amounts of calcium and taurine in their diets. There are some recipes out there, and if all goes well I may eventually make my own cat food, but I want to make sure it is what's best for the girls first.

So far the only drawback I can see is the girls seem to have more energy as evidenced by the increased Gran Prix races around the house.

I have to admit I don't know that much about cats! And, I don't make food for my Mastiff...I just don't have that much time. Frankly though, I made my own baby food (for my kids) as well after reading the labels. If you know what you are doing, and are prepared to make the effort, homemade food is almost always better. Although, I admit it has been a while and advances have been made. They have the wheel now right?

The recall of contaminated pet food and treats is being widened to include dog biscuits and more Menu Foods products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

The FDA said dog biscuits manufactured by Alabama-based Sunshine Mills Inc., which were made with imported Chinese wheat gluten, are being pulled from the marketplace. Mississauga-based Menu Foods has also expanded its date range of recalled wet pet foods to include products dated back to Nov. 8. None of these products were sold in Canada.

Testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found melamine — a chemical used in plastics, countertops, glue and fertilizers — in samples of recalled pet food.

The recalled products from Sunshine Mills Inc. include some of the products made for sale under five private labels, including Ol'Roy biscuits, sold by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Stater Bros. large biscuits, sold by Stater Bros. Markets. It also covered a portion of Sunshine's own Nurture, Lassie and Pet Life dog biscuit brands.

The FDA last week blocked imports of wheat gluten from the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. after finding melamine — a chemical used in plastics, countertops, glue and fertilizers — in samples of recalled wet and dry pet food and treats. The chemical was also found in cats who died after eating the contaminated food.

Meanwhile, the Chinese company that is believed to have supplied tainted wheat gluten to North American pet food makers said Thursday that the bulk of its product went to companies within China, raising concerns that animals and people in that country could fall ill.

Xuzhou Anying is investigating claims that its wheat gluten was contaminated. Beijing authorities have not indicated if they are conducting an investigation into the distribution of the protein source.

Xuzhou Anying produces more than 10 million kilograms of wheat gluten a year, according to its website. Only a fraction of that total — 900,000 kilograms — has been traced to the North American pet food market.

Hill's dry cat food recalled
Last month, Ontario-based Menu Foods recalled 60 million containers of its "cuts and gravy" style wet pet food, sold under nearly 100 store labels and major brands across North America.

Purina has also pulled its Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy product from U.S. store shelves. The product was not sold in Canada.

Meanwhile, Hill's Pet Nutrition has also confirmed its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food included the tainted wheat gluten. Hill's, a division of Colgate-Palmolive Co., is so far the only company to recall any dry pet food. The cat food in question is sold in both Canada and the United States.

The FDA traced the problem to melamine after pet owners grew concerned about apparent kidney failure in their cats and dogs. There have been 16 confirmed cases of animals dying in the U.S. after eating Menu Foods products.